Safety in Peru
General information on crime, protests, natural hazards, and health. Peru remains a strong travel destination, yet practical experience shows clear safety differences depending on the region, time of day, and mode of transport.
Peru remains a strong travel destination, yet practical experience shows clear safety differences depending on the region, time of day, and mode of transport. This page bundles general information on crime, demonstrations, natural hazards, altitude, health, and traffic. A focus is placed on concrete, easily implementable measures.
At a Glance
Plan Your Trip Directly
Crime and Typical Scams
A focus is on large cities, public transport, bus terminals, shopping streets, and markets. There is also an increased risk in peripheral areas and at night, even in well-known tourist districts of individual cities.
Where the Risk Increases
- City centers in the evening, busy squares, markets, and nightlife areas
- Bus terminals, transfers, queues, and crowds
- Taxi transfers, especially with unlicensed providers
- Overland travel at night on certain routes
- Airport transfers, especially with spontaneous or unofficial providers
Typical Scams
- Pickpocketing: distraction, crowds, teamwork
- Robbery: often quick, sometimes with weapons, resistance increases the risk
- Express kidnappings: forced ATM withdrawals
- Date rape drugs: risk in bars and clubs with unsupervised drinks
- Online fraud: building trust, later courier or money demands
Protective Measures
- Close-to-body transport: money and cards separate, small day wallet, rest in safe
- Document security: digital copies of passport, insurance, tickets, emergency contacts
- Taxi selection: use official or referred providers, no spontaneous street taxis
- Drink rule: no unsupervised drinks, no acceptance from strangers
- Evening planning: well-lit paths, groups instead of solo outings, return trip arranged in advance
- Lima Airport: secure pickup via licensed providers in the arrivals area
Tourist Police Lima, Policía de Turismo: Calle General Vidal 230, Tel. +511 4601060 / 4600849 / 4600921
Protests, Strikes, and Blockades
Protests remain difficult to predict. Blockades can affect roads, train connections, and airport access roads, sometimes without much warning. In such situations, distance, patience, and flexible travel planning are more important than rigid schedules.
Typical Situations
Main roads, train connections, airport access roads, border crossings, or central city squares can be affected. The situation can change quickly locally, especially if political, social, or economic conflicts escalate.
Impact on Travel
- Interruptions of long-distance bus lines, closures of main roads
- Disruptions of train connections, including on touristically relevant routes in the south
- Restrictions at land borders due to strikes or security measures
- Additional checks, detours, or longer waiting times
Sensible Response
- Distance from crowds and demonstrations
- Rerouting instead of driving through, no attempt to push through roadblocks
- Buffer times at each stage, especially before flights and onward travel
- Information sources through accommodation, reputable providers, and local authorities
Regions with Increased Risk
Some border and inland regions may have increased risks due to organized crime, weak infrastructure, or limited assistance. For classic tourist routes, the risk situation is usually different from remote border, river, or jungle areas.
Typical Risk Drivers
- Organized crime and drug trafficking in certain border and river zones
- Weaker infrastructure and limited assistance in remote areas
- Armed incidents and robberies on certain routes, sometimes at night
- Blockades or delays in river transport on remote river routes
Amazon and Boat Tours
An increased risk exists sporadically along certain river sections. A tour with established providers, clear route planning, and group organization are considered a robust basis. In Iquitos, jungle excursions should generally be booked through official agencies.
Natural Hazards and Weather
Peru is located in a seismically active zone. Additionally, the rainy season in the highlands and transitional regions can lead to landslides and floods. In volcanically active regions, ash, closures, or local restrictions can play a role.
- Rainy Season: frequently December to March, depending on the source and region, also broader from November to May
- Mountain Routes: additional travel times, alternative routes, and flexible bookings
- Warning System: observe local warnings, closures, and provider information
More weather background is available on the Climate in Peru page.
Health: Altitude, Mosquitoes, Vaccinations
Health planning in Peru depends heavily on the route, altitude, and duration of travel. Important aspects include gradual acclimatization in the Andes, consistent mosquito protection in warmer lowland regions, and timely medical consultation before the trip.
Altitude and Acclimatization
Andean regions are often significantly above 2,500 meters. A slow ascent, rest on the first day, adequate hydration, and a moderate pace reduce the risk of altitude sickness. In case of severe symptoms, medical clarification is advisable; for serious cases, rapid descent is the most important measure.
Mosquito Protection and Tropical Risks
In lower elevations east of the Andes, mosquito-borne diseases occur. Consistent mosquito protection with repellent, long clothing, and a mosquito net are among the most important components.
Malaria in Peru, General Orientation
- Main Transmission Areas: below 2,500 meters east of the Andes, including Amazon areas and cities like Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado
- No Transmission Area: Lima, Arequipa, Ica, Nazca, Puno, Tacna, and highland destinations such as Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca
Vaccinations and Prevention
Yellow Fever, General Orientation
A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travel to certain areas below 2,300 meters. For stays above this altitude, including Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Inca Trail, it is described as not recommended in official advisories. However, proof of vaccination may still be required when traveling to a third country.
Plant Medicine and Ceremonies
One safety aspect concerns substances such as Ayahuasca, San Pedro, or Kambo. Reports of serious illnesses, deaths, assaults, and theft exist, especially in uncontrolled settings. A sober risk assessment and the choice of reputable, formally registered structures reduce dangers, but a zero-risk option does not exist.
Important: Travel health insurance with medical evacuation is particularly advisable for Peru, as medical care outside of Lima and in remote regions can be significantly limited.
Traffic and Mobility
Chaotic traffic is part of everyday life in many cities. An increased accident risk affects intercity routes, especially on mountain roads and at night. Strikes, weather, or road closures can also restrict passenger transport at short notice.
Robust Transport Decisions
- Daytime Travel: focus on daytime travel, reduce night travel
- Bus Choice: larger operators and fixed terminals instead of spontaneous departures
- Taxi: official companies or referral through accommodation, no street pickups
- Passport Copy: For domestic Peruvian flights and bus trips, an identification document or a copy may be required
Route to Machu Picchu
Train travel as a frequently safer alternative to certain bus and dirt road routes.
More details are on the Transport in Peru page.
Checklist for Safe Days in Peru
- Documents: digital copies, separate storage, emergency numbers readily available
- Money: small cash reserve, cards separate, larger valuables in the safe
- Mobility: avoid night travel, allow buffer times before flights, planned alternative routes
- Environment: avoid peripheral areas and risky zones, evening walks short and organized
- Demonstrations: maintain distance from gatherings, do not pass blockades
- Health: altitude acclimatization, mosquito protection in the lowlands, travel insurance with repatriation
- Crisis Preparedness: registration on a crisis preparedness list, contact details of your diplomatic mission
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Which places are considered particularly prone to theft?
A higher probability exists in crowded situations such as markets, bus stations, public transport, and in busy city centers and entertainment areas. An additional risk factor concerns night times and poorly lit paths.
What is the appropriate reaction to protests and road blocks?
A safe strategy consists of distance, replanning, and patience. Attempting to overcome blockades increases the risk of escalation. Time buffers and alternative routes reduce stress.
Is Machu Picchu located in a high-risk area?
Official warnings define specific risk zones. Machu Picchu and nearby tourist destinations around Cusco are explicitly mentioned in such classifications as being outside certain affected sub-areas.
What are the most common health risks?
Altitude sickness in Andean regions and mosquito-borne diseases in lower, warmer areas play a role. The focus is therefore on altitude acclimatization, hydration, and consistent mosquito protection.
Which mode of transport is considered the most reliable?
A general answer depends on the route and season. Day trips, established providers, and train travel on heavily frequented tourist routes are often considered a more stable choice than improvised night trips and side routes.
How should I behave in case of local restrictions?
For travelers, this primarily means: observing local advisories, avoiding demonstrations, planning flexible time buffers, and following instructions from accommodation, tour operators, or authorities.
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office: Peru Travel and Security Advisories
- GOV.UK FCDO: Peru Travel Advice, Safety and Security, Regional Risks
- U.S. Department of State: Peru Travel Advisory, Safety and Security
- CDC Travelers' Health: Peru, Information on Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Health
- CDC Yellow Book: Peru, Altitude, Malaria and Yellow Fever Classification